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Official DVLA Record
Outstanding Recall

2004 BMW 3 Series 2.5L Petrol · MM04 AAA

MM04 AAA

2004 BMW 3 Series (2.5L, petrol). First registered 28 May 2004. Recorded mileage 107,367 miles. MOT expired on 04 Jan 2023. Currently declared SORN. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.

Make & Model
BMW 3 SERIES
Year / Origin
2004 · Manchester & Merseyside
Safety Recall
Recall Notice
MOT Status
Expired on 04 Jan 2023
Road Tax
SORN
Recorded Mileage
107,367 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Likely ULEZ Compliant (Early Euro 4)
Fuel & Engine
Petrol · 2.5L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults

Outstanding Safety Recall Notice

Action Required

Official DVSA telemetry indicates this vehicle has an unaddressed manufacturer safety recall. Remedial repairs are legally required to be carried out 100% free of charge by an authorised main dealer.

MOT Status
Expired
Expired on 04 Jan 2023
Tax Status
SORN
Statutory Off Road (SORN)
Fuel Type
Petrol
Year
2004
Engine
2494cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The vehicle presents a stable roadworthiness profile, evidenced by a consistent history of clean passes. The most recent test conducted on January 5, 2022 at 107,367 miles resulted in no recorded defects or advisories. This suggests that the car has been maintained to a standard that meets the minimum legal requirements for road use without any recurring mechanical failures or structural degradation being flagged over the last six inspection cycles. The mileage pattern is notably low for a 22-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 4,880 miles per year. Data shows the car covered only 5,072 miles between July 2016 and January 2022, with a significant gap of 148 miles between November 2020 and January 2022. While low mileage typically reduces wear on drivetrain components and engine internals, the long intervals between use can lead to the degradation of rubber-based components such as seals, hoses, and tyres, which may perish or crack despite low distance traveled. A buyer should prioritize a physical inspection of the components most susceptible to age-related wear on low-mileage vehicles. Examine the chassis sills and wheel arches for structural corrosion, as BMW models from this era are prone to rust if stored unprotected. Inspect the suspension bushes and control arms for cracking or tearing, and check the brake discs for signs of pitting or seized calipers due to the potential for long periods of stationary use.
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Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.

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MM04 AAA Key Findings

  • 1 MOT test recorded
  • Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
  • Latest MOT passed on 05/01/2022
  • 107,367 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • No defects recorded at the latest MOT

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

MM04 AAA MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 5 Oct 2026, 13:11
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

1 MOT test are recorded for this 2004 BMW 3 Series (MM04 AAA) between January 2022 and January 2022.

The record contains 1 pass and 0 failures.

The record shows no MOT failures, although 0 advisory notices note items to monitor.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

Technical Specifications

ULEZ Compliant
Recall Notice Outstanding

Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence

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MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
50
/ 100 · Below Average
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average

This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.

✗ MOT Expired or Failed
! Tax Status Unknown
✓ Exceptional MOT pass rate (100%)
! Older vehicle
✗ Outstanding recall notice
Experian Provenance Check

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Experian Provenance Data

Vehicle Provenance Investigation

9 Key Registers

Comprehensive register checks across Experian, MIAFTR, Police National Computer, and DVLA records.

CHECK REQUIRED

OUTSTANDING FINANCE

Experian Register

Checks Experian asset registers to identify any active PCP, HP, or loan agreements.

Experian Asset Register: [Query Required]
Agreements & Lender Search: [Check to Reveal]
Experian Register:QUERY REQUIRED
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INSURANCE WRITE-OFF

MIAFTR Register

Checks the UK insurance total loss register for Category A, B, S, or N write-offs.

MIAFTR Insurance Database: [Query Required]
Write-Off Category & Date: [Check to Reveal]
MIAFTR Register:QUERY REQUIRED
CHECK REQUIRED

POLICE STOLEN (PNC)

Police PNC

Searches the UK Police National Computer (PNC) for active stolen vehicle reports.

Police National Computer: [Query Required]
Active Stolen Marker Search: [Check to Reveal]
Police Computer:QUERY REQUIRED
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SALVAGE & AUCTION

Salvage Registers

Cross-checks major UK salvage databases to identify if this vehicle has ever been listed in a salvage auction.

Salvage Auction Registries: [Query Required]
Trade Auction Disposal Lots: [Check to Reveal]
Salvage Registries:QUERY REQUIRED
CHECK REQUIRED

IMPORTED RECORD

Import Register

Checks vehicle registration records to verify if this vehicle was imported from abroad.

Import & Prior VRM Register: [Query Required]
Country of Origin Audit: [Check to Reveal]
Import Register:QUERY REQUIRED
CHECK REQUIRED

EXPORTED MARKER

Export Register

Checks whether the vehicle has been marked for permanent or temporary export from the UK.

Customs & Export Register: [Query Required]
UK Road Eligibility Marker: [Check to Reveal]
Export Register:QUERY REQUIRED
CHECK REQUIRED

SCRAPPED RECORD

Scrappage Register

Validates whether the car has been surrendered or notified as scrapped to an Authorized Treatment Facility.

Scrappage & ATF Register: [Query Required]
Disposal Notification Check: [Check to Reveal]
Scrappage Register:QUERY REQUIRED
CHECK REQUIRED

CERTIFICATE OF DESTRUCTION

Statutory CoD

Confirms whether a statutory Certificate of Destruction has been issued against this chassis.

Certificate of Destruction Register: [Query Required]
Statutory Scrapping Decrees: [Check to Reveal]
Destruction Register:QUERY REQUIRED
CHECK REQUIRED

V5C LOGBOOK & KEEPERS

DVLA Master

Audits number of registered keepers and latest V5C logbook issue date.

DVLA Logbook Issue Date: [Query Required]
Previous Keepers Count: [Check to Reveal]
DVLA Keeper Master:QUERY REQUIRED
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Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
35/100
Risk Level
High
High
Est. Annual Cost
£1,600-£2,300
Mileage
At 107,367 miles in 2022, the vehicle is...

Our Verdict

Proceed with extreme caution. The vehicl

The most critical step is to ensure the vehicle passes a fresh MOT test before purchase. Because the car has not been tested for over four years, you should investigate whether it has been stored or driven illegally. Check for signs of long-term stagnation, such as perished rubber seals, flat-spotted tyres, or seized brake calipers.

Request full service records to see if the engine has been maintained during the period of missing MOTs. Negotiate the price heavily to account for the likely 'catch-up' maintenance required to bring a 2004 vehicle back to a safe, road-legal standard.

The 2.5L petrol engine is the primary driver of running costs, resulting in higher fuel consumption and a higher road tax bracket than the smaller engine options in the 3 Series range. Insurance groups for this engine size and model year are typically moderate to high.

Given the age of the car and the gap in its testing history, expect higher-than-average initial maintenance costs. Annual running costs will likely be elevated by the need for preventative replacements of aged components.

Pay close attention to the service brakes and the exhaust system, as these are among the most common MOT failure points for this model. Inspect the headlamps for clouding or electrical faults, which are also frequent issues across the 3 Series aggregate data.

Due to the gap in MOT history since 2022, perform a thorough check for fluid leaks and inspect the battery health. Ensure the brakes are not seized and that the tyres are not perished from sitting idle for several years.

This blue 2004 BMW 3 Series with a 2494cc petrol engine recorded 107,367 miles at its last MOT in early 2022. While that specific test was a pass with no defects, there is a significant gap in the vehicle's history from 2022 to 2026. This lack of recent data makes it a high-risk purchase regardless of the low mileage.

The 3 Series maintains a respectable 80% average MOT pass rate across nearly 480,000 analysed vehicles.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.

Data Sources

DVSA

Official MOT test logs & failure reasons

DVLA

Tax, registration & powertrain specs

Experian

Finance, stolen markers & total loss

AI Analysis

Historical fault & advisory patterns